Leaks can run, but they can’t hide! Fix a Leak Week is a great opportunity to fix what you may have been putting off or go out in search of that suspected leak you’ve been wondering about. Household leaks can waste nearly one trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, so each year we hunt down the drips during Fix a Leak Week.
The average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and 9% of homes have leaks that waste 50 gallons or more per day. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills.
Here’s how you can address leaks found at home:
- Check for leaks. Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers and other fixtures. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank and seeing if it appears in the bowl before you flush. Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots too.
- Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections. To save more water without a noticeable difference in flow in your bathroom faucet, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.
- Replace the fixture if necessary. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20% less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.
- Check Your Meter. This can help in detecting when and where leaks may be occurring in and around your home.
Check out the EPA’s website to learn more about Fix a Leak Week.
